“Every Summer Has a Story”, however, I’d like to offer you a few of them. I recently asked some mystery and crime fiction authors if they would like to suggest a few titles for your summer reading. If NPR can ask booksellers to make recommendations, I can ask mystery authors. So, occasionally, one of the posts will feature an author with some suggestions. If you find a title enticing, check out our Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

I’m sure we either have the book in stock, or can get it for you.

First up is Terry Shames, author of the award-winning Samuel Craddock mysteries. Her most recent one is The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake.

Terry  has three picks for summer reading.

She recommends Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness novel, Queen of Hearts, and goes on to say, “Or read any of the books in this series for a delightful, engaging, frothy cozy read…This series won my heart.” (And, fans of this series will want to watch our calendar for Rhys’ scheduled appearance with her new book, Crowned and Dangerous, in August.)

Noah Hawley’s Before the Fall is now on The New York Times Best Seller List. Shames calls it, “The perfect summer read, absorbing and gossipy, with a mystery at the heart of it.”

Terry Shames’ third selection is Susan Shea’s Mixed Up with Murder. “Third in this delightfully playful and stylish series, has Dani O’Rourke getting in trouble at a small New England college.”

Terry says, “Summertime and the Reading is Easy.” I hope the suggestions and The Poisoned Pen Bookstore can make that reading easy for you!

The Poisoned Pen Bookstore is closed today in observance of Independence Day, the Fourth of July.

Crime fiction truly is international. If you only read mysteries set in the U.S., you’re missing so much. Today, I’d like to link to a blog with an international view, Murder is Everywhere. https://murderiseverywhere.blogspot.com/

Started by the late Leighton Gage, whose gritty Chief Inspector Mario Silva mysteries were set in Brazil, the blog features crime writers who write from, and about, different areas of the world. At times, there are guest authors as well. But, the chief suspects are Annamaria Alfieri (East Africa and South America), Cara Black (France), Jorn Lier Horst (Norway), Sujata Massey (India and Japan), Caro Ramsay (Scotland), Michael Sears (Michael Stanley, Southern Africa), Zoe Sharp (the site says “No fixed abode”, although when I met her, it was England), Jeff Siger (Greece), Susan Spann (Japan), Stanley Trollip (Michael Stanley, Southern Africa).

I’m sure you’ve seen these authors at The Poisoned Pen. Murder is Everywhere gives them an outlet to discuss crime fiction, international news and politics, world events. Check out their blog. Cara Black was just at The Pen. Attend an event here when one of these authors is in town. And, look for their books at the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/

Martin Walker, author of the Bruno, Chief of Police, books, set in France, was just here at The Poisoned Pen, on tour for Fatal Pursuit.

Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, tells readers that the Bruno series is the Pen’s bestselling series of trade paperbacks.

If you would like to hear the conversation between Peters and Martin Walker, please join us at the Livestream event. https://livestream.com/poisonedpen/events/5468492

If you order a signed copy of Fatal Pursuit through the Web Store, our copies will come with an image of the lost Bugatti Type 57 automobile and the recipe for a mouthwatering dish as prepared by Bruno.  https://bit.ly/2950P8k

The Poisoned Pen had quite a collection of Brad Thor’s books for him to sign when he was here the other day. Our new staff member, Kelly, and bookstore owner, Barbara Peters, are showing off the books.

We have signed copies of Brad Thor’s latest thriller, Foreign Agent, which just made The New York Times Best Seller List. Don’t hesitate to order copies of his other books through the Web Store as well. https://bit.ly/294R9Hg A number of them are available.

Barbara Peters, owner of The Poisoned Pen, was surrounded by men the other night when she hosted four authors of thrillers and novels with military themes.

The authors present were Ben Coes (First Strike), Stephen Coonts (Liberty’s Last Stand), Brian Keene (Pressure), and Weston Ochse (Grunt Traitor).

Most of the evening was quite serious, but you can tell there were some light moments.

Here’s my favorite picture of the evening. Ben Coes wanted a photo with the audience. Can you pick the authors out in the crowd?

You can get signed copies of books by any or all of the authors by going to the Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com

How many Canadian mystery writers can you name? Journalist and mystery columnist Oline Cogdill has an excellent article in Mystery Scene. It’s called “Celebrating Canadian Writers.”  https://bit.ly/292t8S7

Once you check it out, you might want to look for the authors in The Poisoned Pen’s Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/. Or, ask one of the staff about their books!

When you think of cozy British mysteries, do you think of cucumber sandwiches? That’s just one of the food items that’s likely to appear on the Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen blog.

The popular blog has been an ongoing spot for cozy mystery lovers and authors to share recipes and cozy mysteries. Cozy mystery readers will recognize many of the authors that appear above. There are even more authors that write guest posts for the blog, talking about recipes, sharing stories about food, posting contests and giveaways for readers.

If you’re a cozy mystery reader who enjoys the connection between mysteries and food, you’ll want to check out this fun site. https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/

And, watch for the mysteries by these authors and other writers of cozies. The Poisoned Pen often does displays featuring cozies, and you can find many of them in our Web Store. https://store.poisonedpen.com/  If it’s not there, ask!

Have you seen the book trailer for Ben Coes’ First Strike?

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVGfIfmmvqA&w=560&h=315]

If the drama “strikes” you, you can order a signed copy of First Strike through our Web Store. https://bit.ly/28XbFv4

Ben Coes, Stephen Coonts, Brian Keene, and Weston Ochse all appear at The Poisoned Pen on Tuesday, June 28 at 7 PM.